NASA honors ‘Jeopardy’ host Alex Trebek, who helped recruit the next generation of astronauts

NASA paid tribute to Alex Trebek, who helped recruit the next generation of astronauts for missions to the Moon and Mars.

“We are saddened by the passing of legendary @Jeopardy host Alex Trebek,” NASA tweeted on Sunday. “Earlier this year, he helped us recruit the next generation of astronauts – a testament to his dedication to challenging us to expand our knowledge.”

NASA also tweeted a video of Trebek urging future astronauts to “make history” as part of the space agency’s Artemis program.

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“NASA is looking for pioneers who will boldly go where no woman or man has gone before,” Trebek said in the video.

“Jeopardy” host Trebek died Sunday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

NASA’s Artemis program aims to land American astronauts on the moon by 2024 and establish a lasting human presence on Earth’s natural satellite.

A key element of the Artemis program is the landing of the first woman on the moon.

Last year, NASA revealed details of its vision of the Artemis Moon Lander that will bring American astronauts back to the lunar surface.

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Some lawmakers, however, have urged NASA to delay placing the US boots on the moon until 2028.

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NASA’s long-term goal is to send a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s.

Fox News’s Tyler McCarthy contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers